Rookie

[jTheUmp]

You've got a solid foundation of officiating experience, so I'll concentrate on what's different from the sports you mentioned.

1) Unlike basketball (and, I assume, lacrosse)... you don't want to have the whistle in your mouth all the time when the ball is live... there's (almost) never a situation where you're going to need to stop a play in progress. Spit it out at the snap, and put it back in when you need to blow it to signal the ball dead.

2) There's no such thing as a late flag. (That's not entirely true, of course, but since live-ball fouls don't get enforced until after the play ends anyway, you can throw a flag 2-3 seconds after a foul occurs without any concern. In fact, in some situations it's better to wait those 2-3 seconds to let players clear out before your flag comes flying in).

[BigT]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

You've got a solid foundation of officiating experience, so I'll concentrate on what's different from the sports you mentioned.

1) Unlike basketball (and, I assume, lacrosse)... you don't want to have the whistle in your mouth all the time when the ball is live... there's (almost) never a situation where you're going to need to stop a play in progress. Spit it out at the snap, and put it back in when you need to blow it to signal the ball dead.

2) There's no such thing as a late flag. (That's not entirely true, of course, but since live-ball fouls don't get enforced until after the play ends anyway, you can throw a flag 2-3 seconds after a foul occurs without any concern. In fact, in some situations it's better to wait those 2-3 seconds to let players clear out before your flag comes flying in).

Thanks man

Anyone have advice on the most obvious plays you get as a linesman that I should watch for?

[jTheUmp]

Been awhile since I've worked LOS... but...

Stay on the sideline while the play is in progress... don't wander out on to the field. Keep your sideline clear of spectators, coaches, and subs.

If the play goes away from you, watch for troublemakers on behind/away from the ball. If the play goes toward you, watch the blocks at the point of attack.

When the play comes towards your sideline... back up. Directly backwards if you're on the goal line, otherwise in the direction of the offensive backfield. The only time you want to be ahead of the runner in this situation is if you need to be on the goal line.

Pre-game with your LOS partner about how strict you want to be on formation fouls... nobody wants to see you throw 17 illegal formation or offside flags.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Been awhile since I've worked LOS... but...

Stay on the sideline while the play is in progress... don't wander out on to the field. Keep your sideline clear of spectators, coaches, and subs.

If the play goes away from you, watch for troublemakers on behind/away from the ball. If the play goes toward you, watch the blocks at the point of attack.

When the play comes towards your sideline... back up. Directly backwards if you're on the goal line, otherwise in the direction of the offensive backfield. The only time you want to be ahead of the runner in this situation is if you need to be on the goal line.

Pre-game with your LOS partner about how strict you want to be on formation fouls... nobody wants to see you throw 17 illegal formation or offside flags.

Thanks again man its nice having some feedback.

[HLin NC]

Develop your pre snap routine and repeat every down.

Get your team count, probably defense, 11 every play.
Anybody come off your sideline, anybody come on?
ID your widest receiver, is he a back, is he an end? What's his #?
Is your end "covered"?
Who is your tackle? What's his number?
4 in the backfield/7 on the line? Signal your opposite partner.
Watch the LOS. Anybody flinch, anybody jump, snapper twitch the ball?
SNAP
Cover the play.
Spot or mirror spot.
Repeat

Never let a player behind you without knowing where he went and what he did.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Develop your pre snap routine and repeat every down.

Get your team count, probably defense, 11 every play.
Anybody come off your sideline, anybody come on?
ID your widest receiver, is he a back, is he an end? What's his #?
Is your end "covered"?
Who is your tackle? What's his number?
4 in the backfield/7 on the line? Signal your opposite partner.
Watch the LOS. Anybody flinch, anybody jump, snapper twitch the ball?
SNAP
Cover the play.
Spot or mirror spot.
Repeat

Never let a player behind you without knowing where he went and what he did.

This list was something I really wanted. Thanks man!

[Welpe]

There is tons of advice I could give but you being an official already will give you a good idea of how to carry yourself on the field. I will emphasize that just like in basketball, our job does not stop when the play is over. Dead ball officiating is just as important in football.

Another thing that travels over well from basketball is not being a ball hawk. You need to have a general awareness of where the ball is but you need to ensure you're focusing on your area so that things don't get missed. This is especially true if you're cleaning up a play from behind. Don't focus on the ball carrier, focus on all of the players trailing the play. That's when the cheapshots happen.

Lastly, the whistle should never actually kill the play, only announce that it is already over. The point behind that is: Do not blow your whistle until you know the ball is dead. If you see a runner down but have no idea if he has the ball in his possession, don't blow it dead. It may be loose and bouncing around. You will want to use the whistle to protect the players and that's fine to a point but even young kids seem to have a good understanding when the play is over. Don't be too quick to blow the whistle.

I don't want to overwhelm you with information so if you want to know more, keep asking! And welcome to the prolate spheroid game.